Photo By Master Sgt. David Johnson | The Starin family, left to right: Staff Sgt. Kurt Starin holds daughter Alice, two,...... read more read more
Just like his parents, Capt. Laura Starin and her husband Staff Sgt. Kurt Starin, both of whom serve in the U.S. Army Reserve, Harvey Starin is a fighter. However, because he was born in 2016 with Biliary Atresia—a rare disease of the liver and bile ducts that occurs in infants—Harvey needs a life-saving liver transplant.
ENTER COTA
The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) is a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-related expenses.
ASSEMBLING THE TEAM
With the assistance from COTA administrators, the Starins started “Team Harvey.” The team consists of many members from Newark, Ohio, Army Reserve Soldiers from many units, as well as caring people from Defense Logistics Agency, where Laura works. There are many past and present Soldiers of the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), based in Columbus, Ohio, with whom Laura deployed in 2011.
COTA is doing the administrative work. Volunteers organize many events to raise awareness and funds for COTA. (http://cotaforharveys.com/).
Starin was a paratrooper in the 412th for years. She deployed to Afghanistan in 2011.
“Captain Starin has been, and will continue to be, an identified strength to
the battalion and this country. She places Soldiers and family welfare above
her own, and always does what is right,” said Lt. Col. Paul Sanders, the battalion commander for the 412th. Sanders added, “Captain Starin is disciplined, focused and a professional officer whose input I valued on many command decisions affecting the Battalion."
Staring transferred to a new unit in 2015. Captain Starin is genuinely missed by her comrades in the 412th.
“Captain Starin really took good care of Soldiers,” said Sgt. 1st Class Alexis Feliciano, a training non-commissioned officer with the 412th. “She was an invaluable member of our unit as a civil affairs team leader, and as a Unit Administrator.”
Laura is currently assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 397th Regiment Observer, Coach/Train, based in Whitehall, Ohio. Kurt is assigned to the 758th Maintenance Company, based in Whitehall, Ohio.
The Starins were married in 2007, and they have a daughter, Alice, born in 2014. Harvey will be seven months old on September 23.
Team Harvey volunteers are getting the word out about COTA through myriad means and social media.
TOTAL TEAM EFFORT
Together in its usual team effort, the 412th Soldiers, paired with all the other members, make “Team Harvey” a winning team.
| Date Taken: | 08.12.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.13.2016 12:42 |
| Story ID: | 209431 |
| Location: | NEWARK, OH, US |
| Web Views: | 279 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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